St. Michael and All Angels

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. The word “angel” in (Greek: angelos), means messenger. The liturgical color of the day is Festal White.

^[1]Of the many angels mentioned in Scripture and tradition, there are only four that are called by name: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphel. The Archangel Michael is represented with a sword and is a powerful agent of God who wards off evil from God’s people and delivers peace to them at the end of this life’s mortal struggle. In England, his feast is known as “Michaelmas” and has long been one of the popular celebrations of the Christian Year in many parts of the world.

In churches that celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels with Holy Eucharist, the use of incense is customary. ^[2]Censing expresses honor, respect, blessing and celebration in a liturgy and the lifting up of the prayers of the assembly or the prayers of the saints. ^[3] Incense is made from certain woods and solidified resins and, when burned or heated usually over charcoal, give off a fragrant smoke. You may remember, frankincense or pure incense was among the gifts brought by the Magi to the young child Christ (Matthew 2:11). Incense was widely used in Judaism and other cultures of the ancient world as a means of sacrifice, purification and veneration. However, churches did not begin to use incense until the fourth century. The Book of Common Prayer has several options in the Daily Office and the Eucharist when incense may be burned.

A thurifer ^[4] (incense-bearer), or member of the clergy, processes swinging the thurible, or censor with burning incense, and may be assisted by another minister, called a “boat person,” who carries the incense boat, or container, that holds the incense. The clergy, choir and the congregation may be censed along with symbolic objects such as the Gospel book and the altar, including the elements of bread and wine before the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Riverway service celebrates the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Life Center. The ancient tradition of incense will be used to honor this feast day and will be a wonderful experience for all who attend.

[1] Frank T. Griswold, “Holy Women Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints” (New York NY: Church Publishing Incorporated, 2020) page 612

[2] Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church” (New York NY: Church Publishing Incorporated, 1952) page 79

[3] Ibid

[4] Patricia S. Klein, “Worship Without Words-The Signs And Symbols Of Our Faith” (Brewster, Massachusetts: Parclete Press, 200) page 88